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Ahead of a national day of protest, the leadership for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has announced that they will not block Highway 63, even as protesters in the Idle No More movement are expected to block several rail lines and roads on Wednesday. However, the tactic is not being ruled out for future demonstrations.

“At this time, we have no plans to organize or facilitate the organization of roadblock on Highway 63 for Jan. 16 or any set date,” said ACFN Chief Allan Adam. “However, the people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action.”

Previous statements made by Adam led many local residents and media outlets to assume that the Fort Chipewyan community would hold a demonstration during the national day of action. Protesters have already held blocked traffic north of Fort McMurray on two occasions. On one occasion, the blockade had traffic backed up for two kilometres.

“I can promise you, Highway 63 to the oilsands plants will be shut down if things don’t change for the better,” Adam told a crowd in Edmonton last Friday. “I can’t speak about plans being made, but I guarantee you talks are being had behind closed doors.”

However, ACFN spokesperson Eriel Deranger says the comments were taken out of context.

“What the chief meant was that down the road, if no improvement with government relations are made and if Bill C-45 and Bill C-38 were not repealed, it would be an option,” she said. “However, no action is being planned for tomorrow.”

Deranger also says the community has been in contact with independent grassroots organizations and protesters active in the Idle No More movement, but are not affiliated with the ACFN leadership. She says there is no reason to believe they are planning an independent protest.

“If protesters decide to block the highway, it'll be as much of a surprise to us as it is to you and everyone else,” she said.

Motorists across the rest of the country may not be so lucky. Wednesday's rallies are expected to be peaceful, although some chiefs are threatening to block major highways, rail lines and border crossings. Organizers in southern Ontario are expected to slow traffic on a major artery that connects to the Ambassador Bridge, Canada's busiest border crossing and one of two routes linking Windsor to Detroit.

According to the ACFN media release, blocking Highway 63 has always been an option as a form of protest, even before the Idle No More movement. In recent years, the community has blamed a myriad of local health problems on oilsands development, criticized existing government and industrial consultation policies, and has objected to increased development.

Adam says his community has never opposed development, so long as they deem it environmentally stable.

“Indigenous Rights and environmental protection are intrinsically tied together, our rights are contingent on thriving ecosystems and intact biodiversity,” he said. “If no changes are made in the coming months I guarantee we will see Nationwide peaceful picket lines set up.”